Automatic money-changer



,3 SheetsSheet I.

(No Model.) I "C. B. HOPKINS.

AUTOMATIC MONEY CHANGER. No. 288,942. Patented Nov. 20,1883.. 1.

Wfiud/z)? Q I XOMJM'MM. .604 a 7 #"W- 47 (N0 Model-J 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

,0. B. HOPKINS.

AUTOMATIC MONEY CHANGER.

ENG, 288,942, v Patented No v 20, 1383.

3 Sheets Sheet 3.

(No Mod-e1 O. B. HOPKINS. AUTOMATIC MONEY CHANGER.

Patented Nov. 20, 1883.

k PHERS Pnom-Liihogmm x-hingwn. 94 c UNITED STATES PATENT Prion.

CARE-L B. HOPKINS, OF IAYNES DEPOT, KENTUCKY.

AUTOMATIC MONEY-CHANGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 288,942, dated November 20, 1883.

' Application filed October 72 1, 1883. (No model.)

To ail whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Caner. B. Hornnvs, of Paynes Depot, in the county of Scott and State ofKent-ucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Autom aticlVIon ey- Ohangers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a plan view of my moneychanger with a portion of the top plate removed to show the operative parts beneath more clearly; Fig. 2, a view in front elevation of a section on line it xof Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a detail plan view of one of the single-coin-discharging devices with the coin-holding tube and a portion of the plate covering the slide removed; Fig. 4, a similar view of the discharging device adapted for use where one or two coins are to be discharged at will from one tube; Fig. 5, a detail sectional view of the same; Fig. 6, a detail plan view of the bottom plate, upon which the discharge-slides reciprocate.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved money-changing apparatus adapted not only to deliver coins of different denominations separately, but also to deliver at one time and upon the movement of asingle lever or other actuating device any desired combination of the different coins necessary to make up any desired amount of change; and to this end it consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, as hereinafter de scribed, and more specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, A designates the box or casing of my apparatus. Said casing can be made of wood, metal, or other material, as desired. The top or cover Bis preferably made of glass; but I do not, of course, limit myself to the use of that material. Suitably supported within this box is the horizontal partition 0, upon or from which are supported the main portions of my apparatus. As shown,

the partition 0 does not extend to the front wall of the casing. Supported upon the parshown, a series of openings'could be made,

one for and below each recess. As shown, there are six of these recesses in plate D. The recess (Z is to be of such a size as to allow a cent to drop freely through it, the rear end of said recess being curved in a semicircle of a radius a little larger than that of the circum ference of such coin. The recesses d d d d d are similarly construct-ed, but of different sizes and depths, to allow the passage of five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty cent and dollar pieces, respectively, with their faces horizontal or parallel to face of th e plate. Above each recess is a plate, E, supported above plate D upon distance pieces or strips 0 e, resting on the latter plate. These distance-pieces are to be of such a thickness for most of the series of plates E E that the one over any particular recess will be raised above plate D a distance a little more than the thickness of the particular coin which coin designed to be dropped therethrough.

The rear end of each recess extends only to a point about below the center of such opening, as shown in the drawings. Around the edge of each opening the plate is cut away above, so as to form an annular recess, E, in which fits the lower end of a tube, G, preferably of glass. These tubes are, as shown, adapted to receive coins of different denominations, but are preferably of the same length, though this, of course, is not essential. Between each plate E and plate 1), and guided by the distancepieces 6 6, move the slides H, provided with circular openings h, corresponding in size to the opening in the plate above each slide. Be-

tween each of the plates supporting the lower ends of the one and ten cent tubes, respectively, and the plate D there is also a second similar slide, H, placed above the slide H. In the case of the single discharge-slides, each one is made to fit the passage between plates D and E closely, and of a thickness equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of therespective coins to be discharged by them. Each of the two slides moving in the passage below the one and ten cent coin holders or tubes is of a thickness equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the respective coins. With this construction a coin may rest in the opening in either slide, and yet the slides will be able to move independently of each other. The single discharge-slides for the five, twenty-five, and fifty cent coins and for the dollars are made alike in form, though differing in size and thickness. Each of said slides is provided with an arm, h, extending rearward through and guided in an opening, h", in the upper end of a stand ard, h, attached to the partition and situated just back of plate D. These standards also serve as stops to limit the backward movement of the slide, as shown. At the desired limit of such movement the rear edge of the main portion of the slide proper strikes against these lugs. The rear ends of the slide-arms are guided in similar openings, Z, 011 similar standards, I I. A spring, K, attached at one end to the standards its, and at the other attached to or engaging with the arm 7/, preferably at a point between the standardsh and I, is provided for each slide, so as to keep such slide normally in the position shown in Fig. 1 at the limit of its backward throw, so that'it will be situatedwith its opening be low and coinciding with the bore of the coin holding tube above. Each of the single slides referred to is provided with a lip, L, extending backward and inward toward the center of the opening through the slide, from the front edge of such opening. The slides for the one and ten cent coin tubes or holders are, as indicated above, double ones. Of these the slide H, or the lower one, is constructed like those already described, and is provided with a similar lip, L. The upper slide, H, has no such lip, but is otherwise similar to slide H. Each of these slides is, like the others already described, provided with an arm extending rearward, and similarly guided be tween lugs on standards. A retractingspring, K, is also provided for each slide-arm. The two springs are on opposite sides of the arms, and while at one end they are attached to or bear against the same standard just back of the plate D, at their other ends they are illserted in cars or lugs and 76, respectively, one extending outward from one side of one slidearm and the other from the opposite side of the other arm, as shown in the drawings, Fig. 4. The arm attached to the upper slide is provided with a pin, Z, which extends downward through a slot, Z, in the lower arm. This slot is so situated with respect to the pin that when both slides and arms are thrown back to the limit of their movement by their respective springs the pin rests against the front end of the slot. Said slot is of such length that the lower slide can be drawn forward far enough to discharge the coin held in its opening or passage without the rear end of the slot engaging and moving forward the pin attached to the arm of the upper slide. with this construction, then, while the lower slide can be moved forward to discharge a single coin, if the upper slide be pulled forward it will move the lower one with it, as its pin normally rests at or near the front end of slot Z in the lower arm, and two coins held in the openings in the slides will be discharged downthrough recess in plate D and into the delivery-hopper M, below the opening or openings through the partition 0. This hopper at its upper and rear edge extends from side to side of the casing, so as to be under the whole series of coin-discharge recesses in plate D. It stands clownward at a considerable angle, so that the coins falling into it will be sure to slide down to its reduced discharge end or spout S. From the point where the reduction in width of the hopper or chute begins its edges are turned up to properly guide the coins down toward the discharge-spout and prevent them from sliding off the sides of said chute, which is to be supported in any desired way, either from the bottom of the partition plate or board 0 or from the inner sides of the box or casing. 111' the space between the front edge of the partition and the front board of the casing is the horizontal shaft or rod N, supported at either endin the sides of the casing and at or near its middle point ina bracket, 0, extending out from the partition-board. Instead of such arrangement, the rod could be supported entirely from the partition-board in a series of bracket-arms extending forward therefrom. Upon this, and between the arms, are pivoted the elbow-levers P P and P I twenty-two in number, which have hubs or pivotal sleeves 0 0, between which are washers 0 o. The levers I P have longer arms than the others, and their horizontal arms 1) p are curved downward, so as to pass under and be out of the way ,of the keys or finger-plates p p on the ends of the horizontal arms 19 p of the levers P P, and at their outer ends, which are beyond and below the ends of arms p p, they are pro vided with a series of keys or finger-pieces, p p. The upright arms q q of levers I P are preferably somewhat longer than the corresponding arms, 1 q, of levers I? P, so that the upper ends of the arms of all the levers will have substantially the same amount of throw. The keys or plates on levers P P are numbered 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90,

and 100, to represent that number of cents,

and the keys or plates on levers l? I are correspondingly numbered 2, 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, and 95. The front edges of the delivery-slides described above project be tached at one end to the leverand at the other to the edge of slide, the holes in lever and slide facilitating such connection. The levers numbered 1 andlO have their arms similarly connected with the lower slides beneath the one and ten cent holders, respectively. The lever marked 2 is connected with the upper deliveryslide of the one-cent holder, and lever numbered 20 is similarly connected with the upper discharging or delivery slide of the tencent holder. If, then, the lever marked 2 be actuated by depressing the key, both slides below the one-cent tube will be pulled forward, because any forward movement of the upper "slide must cause a corresponding movement of the lower one also, as is obvious from the description of the construction of the slides and arms, as set forth hereinbefore. Likewise when the key marked 20 is depressed both slides under the ten-cent holder will be drawn forward, delivering two ten-cent pieces. The other levers are connected as follows with the coin-delivery slides. Lever 15 is connected with lower ten'cent and the five-cent slides lever 30 with twenty-five and five cent slides; lever 35 with twenty-five and lowerten cent slides; lever 40 with twenty-five, ten, and five cent slides; lever 15 with upper ten and twenty-five cent slides; lever with fifty and five cent slides; lever 60 with fifty and lower ten cent slides; lever with fifty, lower ten, and five cent slides; lever with fifty and upper ten cent slides; lever with fifty and twenty-five cent slides; lever with fifty, twenty-five, and five cent slides; lever Sflwith fifty, twenty-five, and ten cent slides; lever with fifty, twentyiive, lower ten, and five cent slides; lever with fifty, twentyfive, and upper ten cent slides. A rod, T, extends across the boxin front of the upright lever-arms, or between them. and the casing. This rod at its ends is bent downward, and the lower ends of the downwardly-extending portions 1 are pivoted on lugs or pins 25' t. The rod T beyond the end of theseries of lever-arms carries a horizontal fixed arm, U, carrying on its rear end, which extends over the front edge of the partition'board C, a pivoted pawl, V, which, when the rod '1 and armU are pulled forward by any one of the lever-arms as the lever is actuated to discharge change from the coinholder, engages on a spring striker -arm, XV,

attached to or supported on board 0, and

causes it to strike a bel1,X, suitably supported within the box. A spring, Y, is provided for pulling the rod back to its normal position after the lever has been released. The rod, besides carrying the bell-striker actuating pawl, will also obviously serve to keep the upright lever-arms, and so the keys on the horizontal arms, in line.

I contemplate providing a cover for the tops of the coin-holding tubes, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. This cover is provided with a series of slots for the admission of coin to the several tubes.

The operation of my apparatus is as follows: WVhen coin has been put in place in the tubes provided therefor, the lower coin rests in the circular opening in the slide and upon the lower plate, D, andthe lug attached to the slide within the opening. If the slide is now drawn out, the coin is carried along, with its front edge still resting on-the lug, until its rear edge passes off of the rear edge of plateD at the rear of the recess therein. Said coin will then fall clear down onto the hopper or chute. When the two slides of the double discharge device under the one or ten cent tubes are drawn forward together, asis the case where the upper one is pulled out, the two coins contained in such slides are discharged, instead of only one, as described above. As soon as each slide is allowed to fly back into place under stress of the springs, another coin drops down into the recess in it. The operation. of the different slides, as several of them are actuated together from the samekey-lever to make the amount of change indicated on the key, is obvious from the description given above. If, for instance, the key marked 95 is pressed down, the upright lever-arm pulls on the cords or wires connected therewith and pulls out the discharge-slides under the fifty-cent, the twenty-five-cent, and the upper and lower slides under the ten-cent coin holding tube. There are thereby discharged into the delivery-chute a fifty-cent, a twenty-five-cent, and two tencent pieces. The series of holes in the upright arms allow of the attachment of the ends of different cords, so as to make the amount of throw that is necessary to draw out the slides to the proper extent. This is of advantage, as the cords run at different angles to different slides, though it is not necessary, for it is not essential to the successful operation of my apparatus that all the slides should be pulled out to equal distances.

I contemplate, if desired, increasing the number of key-levcrs and making proper connections between a number of them and va rious combinations of the one-cent slides and the discharge-slides of the other holders, so any one amount of change composed of combinations of cents with the other coins can be caused tobe delivered by the motion of one lever or equivalent actuating device.

Having thus fully set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a money changing apparatus, in combination with the tubes adapted to hold coins of various denominations and provided with discharging-slides, a suitable actuating device IIO connected with and adapted to move two or more of such slides at a time, to cause the simultaneous delivery of several coins to make up a desired amount of change, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a money-changing apparatus, in combi nation with the holders adapted to hold coins of different denominations and provided with dischargingslides, a series of suitable actuating devices, each connected with and adapted to move at once a diiferent combination of two or more of thedischarging-slides, to cause the delivery into a suitable hopper or chute of the different combination of coins, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In a money-changer, in combination with the series of holders for coins of different denominations,providedwith discharging-slides,

a series of actuating devices composed of a number of devices, each one of which is conneeted with and adapted to operate singly the dischargeslide of a different one of the holders, and others which are each severally connected with and adapted to operate a different combination of two or more of slides to cause the delivery of a different one of the combinations of coins necessary to make up amounts of change not represented by any of the coins singly, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a money-changer, in combination with a series of holders adapted to receive and hold coins of different denominations and provided with discharge-slides, a lever connected by suitable connections with the discharging devices of two or more such coin-holders, all so arranged that by the movement of one lever two or more coins of different denominations will be delivered at once, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a money-changer, in combination with a series of holders for coins of different denominations, a series of actuating devices for the discharge-slides, consisting of a number of keys or levers, each of which is connected by suitable connecting means with the dischargeslide of a different one of the coin-holders, and a number of keys or levers, each of which is connected by suitable connecting means with a different combination of two or more of the discharge-slides, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 1

6. In combination with a coin tube orholder, the discharging device for the same, adapted to cause the delivery of one or two of the coins at will, and suitable actuating mechanism for the same, substantially as shown and described.

7. In combination with a coin tube or holder and suitable actuating devices, the two discharge-slides, placed one above the other below the lower end thereof, so constructed and connected that the lower one can be drawn out independently of the upper one, to discharge a single coin, but when the upper one is drawn out the lower one is caused to move with it, so that the coins will be discharged by both slides, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In combination with the money-holding tube, thetwodischargeslides,placed one above the other below the end thereof, and provided with rigid arms or shanks, one of which is provided with a pin projecting through a slot in the other, all so constructed and arranged that the lower slide can be pulled out to discharge its coin without movement of the upper one, but when the latter is drawn out the other is caused to move with it, so that 'two coins will be discharged instead of one, substantially as shown and described.

9. In combination with the two slides, placed one above the other below the end of the money-holding tube, the shanks or arms attached thereto, the pin on the shank of the upper slide projecting through the slot in the shank of the other, the springs .engaging the shanks and tending to pull the slides back under the tube, a stop device to limit such backward movementof the slides, so that they shall normally rest with their openings below the bore of the holder, and suitable actuating means conneeted with said slides to draw them out, substantially as and for the purpose described.

10. In a money-changer, the holders for the five, twenty-five. and fifty cent and for the dollar coins, provided with single dischargeslidcs, and the holders for the one and ten cent coin, each provided with the two discharge-slides, so connected that the lower one can be moved independently of the upper, but the latter carrying the lower slide with it when it is moved, in combination with a series of key-levers suitably marked or numbered, said series consisting of several levers, each one of which is connected with and adapted to actuate separately one, of the slides of the five, twenty-five, and fifty cent and dollar holders, or one of the lower slides of the one and ten cent holders, two levers, each connected with one of the upper slides of the latter holders, and a number of other levers, each connected with and adapted to operate a different combination of two or more of the dischargeslides of the five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty cent coin holders to cause the delivery of a different combination of these coins to make up the amount of change indicated by the number on the key, substantially as shown and described.

0. B. HOPKINS.

IVitnesses:

\V. N. J UREY, O. B. PATTERSON. 

